How does F1 qualifying work? Q1, Q2, and Q3 explained

The knockout format

Qualifying decides the starting order for Sunday's race, and it runs as three timed segments with cars eliminated at the end of each one. Drivers can run as many laps as they like within each segment, but only their single fastest lap counts toward the order^[1].

Q1 (18 minutes)

Every car on the grid takes part. At the end of the 18 minutes, the six slowest drivers are knocked out and locked into the back rows of the grid in the order they set^[1]. With a 22-car field, that leaves 16 cars to continue.

Q2 (15 minutes)

The 16 survivors run again. Six more are eliminated, filling the middle of the grid, which leaves ten cars to fight for the top spots^[1].

Q3 (12 to 13 minutes)

The final ten contest a shootout for pole position. The fastest lap of the session takes pole position, and the rest line up behind in order. This is the part of qualifying broadcast as the headline shootout^[1].

Why qualifying matters so much

:::analysis On most circuits the modern F1 car is so sensitive to running in another car's turbulent air that track position is worth a great deal. Starting ahead means clean air, peak downforce, and first call on strategy. That is why a single tenth of a second in Q3 can be worth several places on Sunday, and why teams pour so much into one-lap pace and tyre preparation. On low-overtaking circuits the effect is extreme: see why Monaco qualifying matters more than the race. :::

The rules around it

Qualifying sits inside the FIA Sporting Regulations, which also set the eligibility and conduct rules around it^[2]. Two are worth knowing:

• The 107% rule: a car that fails to lap within 107% of the fastest Q1 time can be refused entry to the race, though stewards may allow it at their discretion.
• Track-limit deletions: a lap is deleted if the driver runs beyond the white lines, which can drop a car down the order or out of a segment entirely.

Sprint weekends are different

On the six sprint weekends the schedule changes: a separate, shorter "Sprint Qualifying" sets the grid for Saturday's Sprint, and the normal three-part qualifying still sets the grid for the Grand Prix^[1].

Where to go next

• How the finishing order pays out: how F1 points work
• The strategy qualifying sets up: what are the strategies in F1?
• The rules glossary: glossary